A THIEF who ripped 800 metres of cable from the East Coast Main Line has been jailed for a year.

Durham Crown Court heard how Kevin Skelton, 21, and his gang went back to the same area of the main line near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, over five successive nights and ripped up 267kg of cable.

The thieves then placed the cable across the line so passing trains would cut it into four-metre manageable strips they could carry. Skelton was caught out after selling the strips at a local scrapyard and giving his real name, but a former address.

Steven Orange, prosecuting said: “The cable sold for £1,068 but the overall cost was estimated at £4,748 through accrued losses and potential repair bill, for line operator Network Rail.”

Skelton, who was traced to Dorset Avenue, Barley Mow, claimed his share of the cable was just £300.